Today, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, in collaboration with the Northern Ireland Policing Board, Police and Community Safety Partnerships, and the Hate Crime Advocacy Service, has unveiled a groundbreaking campaign aimed at raising awareness about the profound impact of hate crime on victims and urging the public to report such incidents when witnessed.
Timed to coincide with Hate Crime Awareness Week, the campaign seeks to encourage empathy by prompting individuals to “put yourself in their shoes” and consider how they would feel if they were subjected to hate crime.
Superintendent Sue Steen, the Hate Crime lead for the Police Service of Northern Ireland, emphasised the urgency of addressing hate crime, stating, “In the past 12 months, over 3,000 people have been the victim of a hate crime or hate incident, and in a modern and diverse society, that is simply not acceptable. Northern Ireland may have a reputation for being welcoming, but unfortunately, that is not the experience of individuals who fall victim to hate crimes or incidents.”
Steen continued, “No-one has the right to perpetrate hate on any individual simply because of their background, race, religion, faith, or how they identify. This week, and in the future, we are asking everyone to reflect on how they would feel if they were ‘in the shoes’ of a victim of a hate crime or hate incident.”
The campaign emphasises the collective responsibility of society to challenge and eradicate hate, both individually and as a whole. It also stresses the crucial role of reporting incidents to the police, as prevention can only be effective when crimes are known. For those who may feel apprehensive about reporting, the Hate Crime Advocacy Service is available to provide support and guidance.
John Blair MLA, Chair of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Partnership Committee, expressed the commitment of the Policing Board and the Policing and Community Policing Partnerships to encourage hate crime victims to report incidents to the police. Blair emphasised the need for perpetrators to reflect on the impact of their actions, stating, “We call for those who perpetrate such incidents to stop and think about how they would feel if they were in a victim’s shoes.”
Michael Avila from the Hate Crime Advocacy Service highlighted the collaboration between the police and the advocacy service in supporting victims of hate crimes and incidents. Avila assured victims that a safe and confidential space is available to provide help, regardless of whether a crime has been reported to the police. The Hate Crime Advocacy Service stands ready to offer free and confidential assistance to anyone who has experienced a hate crime or incident.
